A semi-empirical relationship for the small-strain shear modulus of soft clays

Abstract

The small-strain shear modulus (Gmax) is a soil property that has many practical applications. The authors compiled a database of Gmaxmeasurements for 40 normally consolidated to slightly overconsolidated low to high plasticity clays. Using these data, the authors propose a semi-empirical relationship between Gmax, effective stress (σ'v or σ'c), preconsolidation stress (σ'p) and in-situ void ratio (e0) for four ranges of plasticity index (Ip): Ip < 30%, 30% ≤ Ip < 50%, 50% ≤ Ip < 80% and 80% ≤ Ip < 120%. With results from bender element tests on a Gulf of Mexico clay subjected to multiple load-unload consolidation loops, the authors were able to validate the proposed relationships for 30% ≤ Ip < 50% and 50% ≤ Ip < 80%. The proposed relationship for 30% ≤ Ip < 50% and 50% ≤ Ip < 80% captures changes in laboratory Gmaxresulting from variations in effective stress (σ'c), maximum past stress (σ'v,max), and void ratio. The proposed relationships are a simple and efficient tool that can provide independent insight on Gmaxif the stress history of a clay is known, or on stress history if Gmaxis known.